Workshop of Baccio da Montelupo (1469-1535) Italian, early 16th century

mounted on cross in later arched frame and with rockwork base below centred by a skull

The figure is in overall good condition. The polychromy has been partly refreshed. There is some minor worming. There are restorations to the fingers of the right hand, the thumb has been reattached. Also the thumb on the left hand has been reattached. The cross is of later date, the base may be associated.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Although Baccio da Montelupo's first recorded work is a terracotta Pieta group of 1495, the success of his wooden crucifix (1496) in San Marco, Florence, led to his workshop specializing in the production of wood corpora. Compare the treatment of the torso and the realistically rendered perizonium with work attributed to Baccio da Montelupo and his workshop and illustrated by Lisner.  A particular comparison can be made with a wood corpus in Santa Maria Novella, fig. 183.

RELATED LITERATURE
M. Lisner, Holzkruzifixe in Florenz und in der Toskana (Munich, 1970) figs. 173-197